Universities in Trouble as Senior Staff, Others Declare Indefinite Strike

• Key worker groups in public universities have declared a strike starting Wednesday, May 21, 2025
• The strike is in protest of the government’s inaction and failure to honour a signed agreement
• The Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana and the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana are among the groups striking

Public universities are set to be rocked by a massive worker strike which is set to disrupt administrative activities and academic work.

The strike is to protest the government’s inaction and failure to honour a signed agreement reached six months ago.

The Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana, the Technical University Administrators Association of Ghana and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana (FUSSAG) are the worker groups striking.

In a statement to YEN.com.gh, the groups said the strike was effective Wednesday, May 21.

"Despite numerous dialogues, reminders, and extended timelines, the government has continuously reneged on its commitments, thereby undermining the trust and cooperation that should exist between both parties."

"The signed agreement was not merely a symbolic gesture—it was a binding contract, born out of mutual consensus and aimed at ensuring improved conditions, fair treatment, and a sustainable future for all stakeholders."

The groups did not outline the details of the agreement when YEN.com.gh reached out.

The last time some of these groups went on strike was in September 2024.

They were concerned with the government’s failure to implement new rates for vehicle maintenance and related allowances despite prior commitments.

The Teachers and Educational Workers Union also joined that strike.

TEWU strike over poor conditions of service

The most recent strike on campuses was by the Teachers and Educational Workers Union in November 2024.

The union went on strike because of the government’s reported failure to address longstanding concerns regarding their conditions of service.

It was upset with delays in concluding, signing, and implementing revised conditions of service for workers have caused them deep frustration.

That strike also included staff from the Ghana Education Service (GES), the Ghana Library Authority (GLA), Public Technical and Traditional Universities, and the Museums and Monuments Board.

They were upset that negotiations for a review of the conditions of their service had dragged on for years, leaving members disgruntled.

Previous strikes by university workers

YEN.com.gh reported that the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana disrupted activities in public universities after a strike lasting about a month early in 2024.

The union and the Federation of Universities Senior Staff Association of Ghana both went on strike from January 17, 2024, to February 9, 2024, affecting teaching and learning.

They wanted the government to pay all outstanding debt and contributions with interest from February to December 2023, as per rates stipulated by the Pension Act, Act 766.

The striking unions said they were also upset with the policy of cancelling their overtime allowances, which the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission had later reversed.

Source: YEN.com.gh